The perils of being a Christmas addict...

[liability]

...do you find you get christmas fatigue?
Every year I've been terribly excited by about September and started buying and planning. I find that I end up buying too much as I start early and then can't resist the thrill of more last minute shopping once the festive season draws close. Each year I've kept back some presents and gifted them for birthdays, etc. so for me although i salvage the situation I don't overall save any money by starting early.
I also book lots for us to do and what with family days out, work parties, seeing friends etc it's exhausting. Not to mention recording and having to watch all the Christmas films, esp the channel 5 daily pm film in December. And of course I must chop my own bloody tree down and decorate the house with Cox and Cox ponce tactic stuff, make a wreath, spend hundreds of pounds on food.
I also feel really sad once it's all over so know i'm investing far too much energy on Christmas.
Having said that the thought of doing everything in December is too much, especially if something is sold out (the horror!). It's like a drug I am addicted to.
What do you do? Help!!

nope! the only real fatigue i get with anything christmassy is the wrapping. this is mainly because i am good at it, and always used to enjoy it so my whole family actually pay me to do it for them, as well as doing my own for the kids and family and friends so it takes weeks overall. everything else i could cope with all year round if necessary.

Blimey I couldn't do others wrapping even if I was being paid. You must really love it. Plus I've still never found wrapping paper I'm happy with!

i did really love it. not so much now.

My DH is very about it all but not bah humbug.
The DC love it but because I do it all behind the scenes, they don't know what work goes into it (and I want to keep it that way for a few years). My mother left us in no doubt how much of an effort Christmas was, and she "wished it was all over.And her favourite day was Boxing Day".
Gallingly, she did as little as possible. We did it (usually my dad shopped and a family friend and I cooked.Otherwise nothing would get done)

I'm not a martyr to my family. But 5 years ago I was ill for all of December. I did shopping on the 23rd. It got done because all the planning was done.

I can't wrap though. That's why we have gift bags and tissue for nice presents.
The DC aren't fussy how their presents are wrapped.

70 My parents were similarly 'meh' about Christmas, mum used to grumble about it and withhold putting the tree up as it was too much hassle.

Do you think your similar experience is why you are so into Christmas? I know it is with me. :)

Yes 100%.
Even before I had DC (so I'm more into it now ) my DH decided I was overcompensating for my bah humbug childhood.

Luckily my DC are happy to go along with it (they are 10 and nearly 13) so too old to believe in the fantasy bits. But they know it makes me us all happy.

Glad I'm not alone :)